Opinion: Thoughts on the Arizona Cardinals’ second depth chart

By Mike Jurecki | August 9, 2017 at 2:28 pmUPDATED: August 10, 2017 at 11:25 am

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Blaine Gabbert (7) throws against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of the Pro Football Hall of Fame NFL preseason game in Canton, Ohio, Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Cardinals have released their second depth chart heading into the preseason game against the Raiders on Saturday. Let’s go through some of the position battles for the final 53-man roster.

QB (4)

Carson Palmer, Drew Stanton, Blaine Gabbert, Trevor Knight

How Gabbert performs in the next four preseason games will dictate how many quarterbacks they keep on the active roster.

Offensive line three deep (15)

LT D.J. Humphries, John Wetzel, Givens Price

LG Mike Iupati, Kaleb Johnson, Will Holden

C A.Q. Shipley, Cole Toner, Daniel Munyer

RG Evan Boehm, Tony Bergstrom, Dorian Johnson

RT Jared Veldheer, Ulrick John, Jonathan McLaughlin

The Cardinals will likely keep eight or nine linemen.

Wide receivers (6)

Larry Fitzgerald, J.J. Nelson, Chad Williams

John Brown, Jaron Brown, Brittan Golden

Barring any injuries, they’ll keep six on the roster.

Running backs (4)

David Johnson, Kerwynn Williams, Chris Johnson, Andre Ellington

Elijhaa Penny is practice squad eligible.

Defensive line (9)

DT Josh Mauro, Olsen Pierre, Xavier Williams

NT Corey Peters, Rodney Gunter, Pasoni Tasini

DT Frostee Rucker, Robert Nkemdiche, Ed Stinson

Last year, they carried nine on the active roster, but it’s possible they keep seven or eight.

Linebackers (12)

SAM Chandler Jones, Jarvis Jones, Cap Capi

$LB Haason Reddick, Scooby Wright, Josh Bynes (Deone Bucannon)

ILB Karlos Dansby, Philip Wheeler, Zavier Gooden

WILL Markus Golden, Kareem Martin, Alex Bazzie

Wright was running with the third string yesterday in practice, and it’s safe to say he’s on the bubble. Keep an eye on Josh Bynes, who totaled 209 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, a half sack, one interception, 14 passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 64 games (28 starts) with the Lions and Ravens since 2011. He will get a chance to compete for a backup spot.

Cornerbacks (6)

LCB Patrick Peterson, Tramon Williams, Harlan Miller

RCB Justin Bethel, Brandon Williams, Sojourn Shelton

Depending on if they add another player when rosters are cut, the top CBs are Peterson, Bethel, Tramon Williams and Brandon Williams.

Safeties (6)

SS Antoine Bethea, Tyvon Branch, Ironhead Gallon

FS Tyrann Mathieu, Budda Baker, Rudy Ford

They could keep five. Ironhead Gallon is practice squad eligible.

Special teams

KR Kerwynn Williams, Brittan Golden, Jeremy Ross, Chad Williams

PR Kerwynn Williams, Jeremy Ross, Rudy Ford, Chad Williams

P Matt Wile, Richie Leone

H Matt Wile, Richie Leone

K Phil Dawson

Both punters have been inconsistent. In the next four-preseason games, they must show improvement, otherwise the Cardinals could find another punter before the season starts.